1872 .] 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
471 
JUST PUBLISHED. ROYAL QUARTO. PRICE TWELVE DOLLARS, POST-PAID. 
THE NATIONAL BUILDER, 
A COMPLETE, PRACTICAL, PLAIN, AND VALUABLE WORK ON 
CONSTRUCTIVE CARPENTRY. 
SHOWING THE SIMPLEST METHODS OF FINDING ALL JOINTS AND GEOMETRICAL FORMS. 
INCLUDING 
SPLAYED WORK, GROINED CEILINGS, FRAMING, ROOFING, DOMES, 
NICHES, RAKING AND LEVEL MOULDINGS, Etc., 
EMBRACING 
© tai r*" Biii lclirig and JHtancL-Railing, 
WHICH IS TREATED IN AN ENTIRELY ORIGINAL MANNER; TOGETHER WITH 
DESIGNS FOE STAIRCASES, NEWELS, BALUSTERS, AND HAND-RAILS, 
WITH FULL DETAILED EXPLANATIONS, ILLUSTRATED BY NOT LESS THAN 
NINETY-TWO PLATES, WITH ONE THOUSAND FIGURES PRINTED IN COLORS, 
WITH A GLOSSARY, 
FOR THE USE OF 
ARCHITECTS, BUILDERS, CARPENTERS, AND STAIR-BUILDERS. 
By JAMES H. MONCKTON, 
Author op “THE AMERICAN STAIR-BUILDER.” 
In the preparation of this work the Author has aimed at the most concise 
possible explanations. Carpenters have no time for extensive studies, and 
therefore require a careful selection of what to them will prove of tiie high¬ 
est practical utility, the greatest amount of valuable information in the 
smallest compass. In my judgment, no one is qualified to prepare a really 
useful book in any department of instruction who does not know by actual 
labor and experience the practical needs of those whom lie seeks to instruct. 
Many years’ experience as a workman, a student, and as a teacher of the 
subjects treated, have taught the author what is required, and also the 
best manner of presenting each case so as to make it available to the learner 
with the least effort and t ime. 
To impart exceedingly valuable information never before published, 
knowing by experience the need of a complete and practical book on Con¬ 
structive Carpentry, embracing all modern improvements, is the principal 
reason that induced the author to undertake this work. 
Each drawing has been made and every word written as if no other work 
of the kind had been published, and yet the author acknowledges, to some 
extent, his indebtedness, either directly or indirectly, to every original 
author or mechanic that lias preceded him. 
The large and simple reference letters, cast expressly for this work, also 
the two colors of ink used in the accompanying drawings—in this connection 
unique—can not fail to be appreciated by the student. 
Before closing tfiese prefatory remarks, the casual examiner, and more 
particularly the intelligent student, are requested to give special attention to 
the following examples and their treatment: 
A method of drawing every form of face-mould without ordinates, in connection 
with which the solids introduced and made use of show an easy practical way of 
acquiring a knowledge of the principles of hand-railing.—Plates 3 to 8. 
A second method, and an example of every kind of face-mould drawn by ordinates. 
—Plates D, E, and f. 
The object, application, and use of face-moulds for squaring wreaths.—Plate 9. 
Shaping the top and bottom of wreath-pieces by finding correct center lines to 
work from on the plumbed sides of wreath.—Plate A. 
The proper way to plan and arrange the treads of winding stairs, head-room, etc. 
—Plate 10. 
How to lay out from its edge a string for winders having treads of different widths 
by the use of the mean tread.—Plate 12, no. 2. 
Case of hand-rail showing how to make one instead of two wreath-pieces serve 
every practical purpose. Plate 15, pigs. 10 and 11. 
Management of a steamboat stairs and hand-rail.—Plate 16. 
Construction of stairs for wholesale stores having close strings, paneling, etc.— 
Plate 18. 
Simple method of controlling and working a flat curved side-wreath mitering to 
newel-cap.—Plate 20. 
Angle newcled stairs, designs, plans, and elevations.—Plates 23 and 41. 
Bending-strings, building-forms, saw-kerfing, laminated and solid mouldings.— 
Plate 26. 
The true method of planning elliptic stairs.—Plate 32. 
Designs for newels and balusters.—Plates 30, 40, and 41. 
Plans and management of close paneled curved strings with continued hand-rails. 
—Plates 33 to 36. 
Twenty-two complete plans of stairs variously arranged, drawn to a scale, and all 
their dimensions figured.—Plates 37 and 38. 
Design for wainscoting, thirteen forms for hand-rails.—Plate 39. 
Design for a floral bower, etc.—Plate 42. 
Door-making in detail, including the best hard-wood doors.—■'Plato 43. 
now to make window-frames for brick and wood houses.—Plate 44. 
Sash-making, glazing, and hanging.—Plate 45. 
To find the form from any given moulding for the face-edge of a revolving cutting- 
iron.—Plate 57. 
Splayed work, of great variety.—Plates 58 to 61. 
Pitching planes, a preparatory study to roofing.—Plate 64. 
Roofing, giving bevels and lengths of all timbers.—Plates G5 to C9. 
French roofs, in detail.—Plates 70 and 71. 
Balloon-framing.—Plates 80 to S3. 
Without asking further special consideration of the value and uses of the 
remaining contents, and their manner of presentation, the Author would 
say in conclusion, that the most of the above features being new, and not 
before contained in any work on Carpentry, and many of them of very great 
value, the whole is respectfully submitted with the fullest confidence that 
the book will gain the approval of all who require the instruction it proffers. 
UNIFORM WITH WOODWARD’S NATIONAL ARCHITECT. 
ORANGE JUDD & CO., Publishers, 245 Broadway, New York. 
